Journal of Hospice and Palliative Care

Korean Society for Hospice and Palliative Care (한국호스피스완화의료학회)
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Opioid Withdrawal Symptoms after Conversion to Oral Oxycodone/Naloxone in Advanced Cancer Patients Receiving Strong Opioids

아편유사제 복용 중인 암성 통증 환자들에서 경구 Oxycodone/Naloxone으로 전환 후 발생한 금단증상

  • Kim, Jung Hoon (Department of Hematology-Oncology, Gyeongsang National University Hospital, Gyeongsang National University School of Medicine) ;
  • Song, Haana (Department of Hematology-Oncology, Gyeongsang National University Hospital, Gyeongsang National University School of Medicine) ;
  • Lee, Gyeong-Won (Department of Hematology-Oncology, Gyeongsang National University Hospital, Gyeongsang National University School of Medicine) ;
  • Kang, Jung Hun (Department of Hematology-Oncology, Gyeongsang National University Hospital, Gyeongsang National University School of Medicine)
  • 김정훈 (경상대학교병원 혈액종양내과) ;
  • 송하나 (경상대학교병원 혈액종양내과) ;
  • 이경원 (경상대학교병원 혈액종양내과) ;
  • 강정훈 (경상대학교병원 혈액종양내과)
  • Received : 2017.04.18
  • Accepted : 2017.05.15
  • Published : 2017.06.01
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Abstract

Purpose: Oral naloxone is combined with oxycodone to alleviate or prevent opioid-induced constipation in cancer pain patients. However, there is still concern that oral naloxone may precipitate opioid withdrawal symptoms in patients on opioids. We retrospectively investigated clinical characteristics of cancer patients who experienced opioid withdrawal symptoms. Methods: We reviewed medical records of all patients who were prescribed with oral oxycodone/naloxone at a tertiary cancer center from January 1, 2012 through December 31, 2016. Eligible patients were screened based on demographics, opioid and naloxone dosages, clinical manifestation and pain intensity. Results: Among a total of 1,641 patients, 10 patients were selected. Seven patients were male, and the average age was 68.1 years. The median dose of naloxone that induced withdrawal symptoms was 20 mg. Most common withdrawal symptom was shivering (seven patients) followed by cold sweating (five), and muscle twitching (five). Other symptoms included restlessness, fever, dizziness, and yawning. Pain was exacerbated from the median intensity of numeric rating scale (NRS) 3 to NRS 6. Conclusion: Opioid withdrawal symptoms may occur when switching to oral oxycodone/naloxone for cancer patients who have been treated with other strong opioids. A prospective, multicenter study on this issue should be conducted in future.

목적: 경구 oxycodone/naloxone 복합제는 아편유사제에 의해 유발되는 변비를 완화시키거나 예방하는 목적으로 사용되고 있다. Naloxone에 의해 oxycodone의 진통 효과가 상쇄되거나 금단증상이 나타난다는 보고는 거의 없었으나 저자는 실제 임상에서 몇몇 금단증상 예를 경험하였기에 이 환자들에 대한 조사 연구를 수행하였다. 방법: 2012년 1월 1일부터 2016년 12월 31일까지 경남 지역 암센터에 방문했던 진행성 암환자들로 oxycodone/naloxone extended-release tablets를 투약 받고 마약 금단증상이 나타났던 환자들의 의무기록을 후향적으로 조사하였다. 결과: 연구 기간 중 경구 oxycodone/naloxone을 처방 받은 1,641명의 암 환자 중, 총 10예(0.6%) 에서 마약 금단 증상을 겪었다. 금단증상 관련 통증 강도의 변화는 oxycodone/naloxone 투여 전 NRS 3에서 평균 NRS 6점으로 증가하였다. 금단증상 중 오한이 10예 중 7예에서 나타나 가장 많이 나타난 증상이었으며 그 외에 식은땀, 전신 쇠약감, 근육경련, 복부경련(각 5예), 불안(4예), 열, 어지럼증, 의식혼란, 하품(각 2예)의 순으로 빈번하게 관찰되었다. 결론: Oxycodone/naloxone extended-release 복합제에 의한 마약 금단증상은 흔하지는 않아도 적은 수의 환자에서라도 나타날 수 있다. 향후 이에 대한 다기관, 전향적 연구가 필요하다.

Keywords

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